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National Hospital in Apia - Source: Reuters -
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Search and rescue efforts in Samoa have been all but abandoned as the focus moves to body recovery.
At least 148 people are confirmed dead as a result of Wednesday's tsunami, including three New Zealanders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is still working to locate 231 Kiwis who have not yet reported in.
Defence Force squadron leader Kavae Tamariki says there are still a number of people from villages and resorts who are unaccounted for.
A temporary morgue has been set up in a refrigerated shipping container to help handle with the overflow of bodies.
An unconfirmed report says five New Zealanders may have died in the tsunami but Mfat says only two New Zealanders are confirmed dead, with one missing presumed dead.
Mfat says it is aware of 18 New Zealanders who have been injured and 464 Kiwis are confirmed as alive and well. However the whereabouts of 184 New Zealanders is unknown. The Ministry says some of the people unaccounted for may have left Samoa and anyone who has heard from loved ones in Samoa is asked to contact Mfat so records can be updated.
Acting Prime Minister Bill English says it is estimated some 700 New Zealanders were in Samoa at the time of the earthquake and tsunamis. He says Mfat will keep working until every Kiwi is accounted for. He says right now Samoa's needs are basic and it's too soon to talk about reconstruction.
English says for the next few days they will be focusing on food, water and medical supplies and he suspects they won't be in a position to address the clean up and subsequent rebuild until early next week.
English says the final bill will be massive and it is estimated that roading repairs alone will cost around $10 million.
Rescue effort in full swing
Meanwhile two Air Force planes carrying search and rescue teams are heading for Samoa as the New Zealand Defence Force gets its disaster relief plan into full swing.
And as foreign media and aid agencies descend on Samoa the extent of the devastation is becoming more apparent with whole families wiped out and villages flattened.
A Boeing 757 will carry teams of rescuers and medical and food supplies and will be followed by an Air Force Hercules carrying equipment such as a desalination plant to help access fresh water supplies.
Girl hailed as hero
A nine year old girl from Wellington is being hailed a hero in Samoa.
Robyn Janes from TVNZ's Close Up has been with a group of New Zealanders huddled together near in a house near Apia. She says three of them were staying together at one of the many now flattened resorts, and credit the young girl with saving their lives.
Janes says that straight after the earthquake Abby had ran the length of the beach telling them to run for higher ground. She says the warning meant most of the holidaymakers on that beach had enough time to scramble up a hill to safety.
Abby's father says she has been obsessed with tsunamis for the last two years.
Call for medical help
Health Minister Tony Ryall has asked for health professionals who want to volunteer to help in Samoa. Ryall has received a request from the Samoan government for orthopaedic and general surgeons, theatre nurses, anaesthetists and post-operative staff.
Ryall says the Ministry of Health's National Health Co-ordination Centre is working with District Health Boards to compile a register of health professionals wanting to help.
Samoa's National Hospital is focusing its efforts on helping the injured. Clinical services director Lemalu Fiu says medical staff from across the country are being brought in to assist in the affected area and staff are seeking out those injured in remote areas.
Nineteen New Zealanders are among the injured and Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman has visited 11 of them in a hospital in Apia. Chris Carter says they have a range of injuries, including some with serious internal injuries. He says the New Zealanders have had great treatment in hospital in Samoa and every one has a harrowing survival story, but they all want to come home as soon as possible.
And tradespeople are also being asked to volunteer their services. Habitat for Humanity is asking for help with the clean up as residents look to rebuild.
The volunteer organisation has sent a disaster relief expert to Samoa to assess the need for both emergency and long term shelter.
The plan is to start restoring homes as soon as that assessment is completed.
New Zealanders dig deep
The Red Cross says New Zealanders are being overwhelmingly generous in donating funds for the victims of the tsunami. Spokeswoman Rosemary North is in the islands and says they are very grateful for the amazing support received.
She says the tsunami alert in New Zealand may have brought home the realisation that it could have so easily happened here.
North says cash is the best way to help because it enables volunteers on the spot to buy what is needed. She says when people donate items the Red Cross has to pay for shipping and customs charges, and they may not be what people need.
Anyone concerned about family members in Samoa should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 0800 432 8111.
Anyone worried about the safety of non-New Zealand relatives in Samoa should contact the Samoan High Commission on 04 472 0953.
The New Zealand Red Cross has launched a Samoa Tsunami Relief project at givealittle.co.nz Oxfam NZ is also accepting donations online at www.oxfam.org.nz , by phone 0800 400 666, or you can make make an automatic $20 donation, please call 0900 600 20.
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Post new commentjaxlino said on 2009-10-07 @ 14:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
anyone from the Satitoa village?
markservian said on 2009-10-05 @ 21:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tai Taufua is interviewed in this story... http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/church-comforts-many-in-samoa-3048401/video
Liviyj12 said on 2009-10-05 @ 19:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
i feel sorry fot those who have been affected.... i also feel sorry for Vai. he has lost so much of his family..:(
Micksta said on 2009-10-05 @ 11:16 NZDT: Report abusive post
My heart goes out to everyone who has lost family member/s in the earthquake and tsunami. I know what it would be like, as I was in Samoa as the earthquake struck and I read and saw the devastating effects of the tsunami that followed, both in newspapers and also for real. I would like to say that Nuu Black Sand Beach was hit my the tsunami and is in a bad state (Not that much of an attraction now).
PurpleOlive said on 2009-10-05 @ 09:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am so sad for all who have lost family members. We are humbled by how quickly lives can be lost. Our hearts go out to each and every one of you and I cry tears for your sweet babies. Your pain is shared by our thoughts and may you find the strength within yourselves to carry on, xox